China expects its huge economy to grow more slowly this year

China is predicting a slowdown in growth in 2018.

The Chinese government on Monday announced an economic growth target of 6.5%. That's several notches below the 6.9% rate at which the world's second largest economy expanded last year, according to official figures.

The government's target for this year is in line with economists' forecasts. It was unveiled at the start of the National People's Congress, an annual gathering of Chinese lawmakers in Beijing.

Beijing actually gave a similar target for 2017 -- saying a year ago that it was aiming for growth "around 6.5% or higher if possible." It ended up comfortably beating the goal.

Many experts have questioned the accuracy of the government figures and the relevance of the growth target. Some economists use a range of other information sources -- like electricity output and freight shipments -- to generate independent estimates of how the Chinese economy is performing. Those gauges often don't tally with China's official data.

But the government growth goal sends a message.

"The fact that a target continues to be set signals to all -- including to officials -- that rapid growth remains a priority," analysts at research firm Capital Economics said in note to clients.

Reining in spending

The economic growth target announced Monday is part of a broader "work report" delivered each year by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in which he provides other details about the government's plans and expectations for the country's huge economy.

The central government intends to shrink its budget deficit to 2.6% of GDP from 3% in 2017 -- the first time it has cut this ratio in more than five years.

Since China plans to cut taxes this year, it will almost certainly have to achieve its budget deficit goal through reduced spending, according to the Capital Economics analysts.

"The old ways of boosting local GDP by building inefficient projects have passed," said Iris Pang, an economist at investment bank ING.

Beijing isn't dialing down the amount of money that goes to the military, though. Defense spending is forecast to rise 8.1% in 2018, faster than the 7% increase last year, according to a budget document released Monday.